Few players have been named Africa’s best four years in a row. Yaya Touré did it from 2011 to 2014.
The Ivorian midfielder combined power, skill and goals in a way few players have matched, and he was central to Manchester City‘s rise.
Early years
Touré grew up in Côte d’Ivoire and came through the ASEC Mimosas academy in Abidjan, a famous school for Ivorian footballers. His older brother, Kolo Touré, also became a top player.
Yaya’s path to the top took him through Belgium, Ukraine, Greece and France before his big break.
Barcelona
In 2007, Barcelona signed him. He won the Champions League in 2009, playing as a defensive midfielder, sometimes even at centre-back in big games.
Manchester City
In 2010, Touré joined Manchester City. The club had new owners and big ambitions, and he became its driving force. He scored the only goal in the 2011 FA Cup semi-final and final, ending City’s long wait for a major trophy.
City won the Premier League in 2012 and 2014. In the 2013-14 season, Touré scored 20 league goals from midfield, a remarkable total.
African Footballer of the Year
Touré won the CAF award in 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014, a record run of consecutive wins.
The Elephants
Côte d’Ivoire’s “golden generation”, including Didier Drogba, Kolo and Yaya Touré, lost several Africa Cup of Nations finals and semi-finals. In 2015, with Yaya as captain, they finally won, beating Ghana on penalties in the final in Equatorial Guinea.
The brothers
Yaya and Kolo Touré played together for Manchester City and for Côte d’Ivoire. Kolo, a defender, had won the Premier League with Arsenal’s unbeaten team in 2003-04 before joining City. The brothers celebrated together when City won the league in 2012.
Free kicks and penalties
Touré was also a dangerous set-piece taker. He scored many free kicks and rarely missed penalties, adding goals that most defensive midfielders never score.
Controversies
Touré’s career was not without drama. His agent’s public complaints, including a famous row over a birthday cake, became a talking point in English football. Touré also spoke out about racism in the game.
After playing
After retiring, Touré moved into coaching, taking roles in youth football and with national teams.
The run
At his best, Touré would take the ball in his own half and run through the middle of the pitch, brushing off defenders. Opponents knew what was coming and still could not stop it.
